ECVA - Jack Pachuta - Sacrament and Image

Baptism

Photograph

Artist Statement:In 1998, I baptized a life-long friend the day before he died. He had esophageal cancer and had not spoken for weeks. He was in bed, his eyes were closed, he seemed content. I poured the water onto him and when it hit his head, he opened his eyes and blurted out “is it raining ?”. Yes, I thought, it’s raining, it’s raining Grace.

Bio: Jack Pachuta is a contemporary iconographer, whose work is inspired by Byzantine icons, romanesque frescoes and medieval bible illuminations. These icons are displayed in catholic, protestant, orthodox and byzantine rite churches. He is especially honored to have them in the Missionaries of Charity Motherhouse in Calcutta, the Curia Generalizia del Marianisti in Rome, St. Nicholas Church in Amsterdam, St. Lukes Anglican Church in Ontario, Amigos de Jesus Orphanage in Honduras and the Healing Garden Shrine at St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia, plus seminaries in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Thousands of prayer cards made from his icons have been distributed nationwide through prison ministry organizations and organizations defending falsely accused priests. Jack is also a folk artist, printmaker and international award winning photographer. Currently he is interested in Miksang contemplative photography. (Check fineartamerica.com/art/jack+pachuta to see more of his work.)